Argyle v Burton Albion

ARGYLE’S disappointing week continued as Burton Albion came from behind to record a 2-1 win.

Following a low-key first-half the match sprang into life in the second period.

Paris Cowan-Hall scored his fourth goal of the season after some fine artistry by Warren Feeney but the Pilgrims were pegged back 16 minutes from time.

Nathan Stanton headed in to reduce the arrears for the visitors before Robbie Weir headed in the winner for the Brewers five minutes later.

Argyle boss Carl Fletcher opted to make five changes from the FA Cup defeat to Dorchester Town on Sunday, while also reverting back to the 4-4-2 formation.

Jake Cole came back between the sticks in place of Rene Gilmartin, while Onismor Bhasera came in at left back to replace Scott Griffiths, who dropped to the substitutes’ bench.

Alex MacDonald, who was unavailable on Sunday, also came into the starting eleven replacing Joe Lennox.

With Conor Hourihane absent following his dismissal on Sunday, Fletch chose to go with two strikers as Guy Madjo and Warren Feeney replaced Conor and Rhys Griffiths.

Burton boss Gary Rowett also decided to make two changes from the team that rescued a late 3-3 draw in the cup against Altrincham on Sunday.

With forward Billy Kee dropping to the bench, Rowett decided to start with a 4-5-1 formation as Cleveland Taylor and Jack Dyer replaced Kee and on-loan midfielder Jordan Chappell.

In a relatively low-key start to the match Argyle midfielder Luke Young provided some early energy on a freezing cold evening as he burst into the box only to be stopped by a fine challenge.

Full-back Durrell Berry was using his pace and trickery to increasingly become a positive outlet down the right and his low cross narrowly evaded both Argyle strikers.

The goalmouth action was few and far between and Argyle were dealt an injury blow in the 28th minute when Alex MacDonald was replaced by Cowan-Hall.

The first booking of the game came after a late challenge from Burton’s Cleveland Taylor booked for a late challenge on Andres Gurrieri in the 31st minute.

The first corner of the game finally arrived nine minutes before the break and it nearly resulted in the game’s first goal.

Jamie Lowry swung it in right-footed, and as it was cleared to the edge of the box, Bhasera met it with a right-footed shot which flew past the unsighted ‘keeper, but unfortunately just wide of his right hand post, too.

Lowry was again the creator in the 39th minute as his free-kick from the right produced the first save of the match. Curtis Nelson rose highest only to see his header palmed away by Mark Oxley.

Argyle’s fans were getting into fine voice at the start of the second-half and they were rewarded with the game’s opening goal in the 49th minute.

A fine turn by Warren Feeney midway in the Burton half was followed by an exquisite pass with the outside of his right foot which played in substitute Cowan-Hall down the right-hand side.

The tricky winger cut in on his left and finished low into to the ‘keeper’s near post to score his fourth goal of the season and send the Green Army into raptures.

The goal lifted Argyle and they continued their spell of pressure and nearly extended the advantage two minutes later.

Maxime Blanchard rose highest to power a header at goal from Lowry’s corner only to see it blocked by a Burton defender.

Two Burton players followed Taylor into the book as former Pilgrim Damien McCrory was penalised for a foul on Paris, before Nathan Stanton followed him into the referee’s notebook for a similar challenge.

Argyle continued to pressurise and the pocket-sized Gurrieri was coming into the game more and more. He unleashed a ferocious drive from 25 yards out that stung the palms of Oxley.

Burton suddenly sprung into life and two quick-fire corners saw them grab an equaliser against the run of play in the 74th minute.

The second corner from the right was headed towards goal by Zander Diamond and after Cole failed to hold onto it, Nathan Stanton pounced inside the six-yard box.

Five minutes later Cole could not hold Chris Palmer’s stinging cross from the left and Robbie Weir headed home from inside the box for the Brewers.